Kuya Guro Woody Woodman is a senior instructor in Pambuan Arnis under Ama Guro Raffy Pambuan. He began his martial Arts training in Tea Kwan Do at the age on 12, attending the Lansing Community College in 1980. Studying under instructors Mark Flaugher and Joe Helminiack, achieving a rank of 7th degree black belt. Woody is a Gulf War veteran, having served in the United States Marine Corps. from 1987 to 1991. He was assigned to the 11th marine expeditionary unit and participated in both Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm from 1990 to 1991. During his military service Woody traveled extensively in the Philippines, Korea, Okinawa, Singapore, Dubai, Oman, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. While stationed in Okinawa Woody studied Chinese Kenpo under Bobby Long at the Kedena Air Force base from 1988 to 1989. Returning to the United States Woody was stationed at Camp Pendleton California where he finished out his service and was honorably discharge. Woody was meritoriously promoted to both corporal and sergeant. During his service in California Woody studied Jeet Kun Do concepts, training under instructors Lee Grow and Lester Colhin. Both Lee and Lester had formally studied at the IMB academy under Dan Inisonto, Larry Harstel, Steve Martinez and Richard Bastilio. Lee Grow was also a student under the later Ted Luki Luki. Woody studied under Lee Grow and Lester Colhin for four years getting exposure to Dan Inisonto, Richard Bistilio, Larry Harstle through seminars training. After the Marine Corps., Woody pursued his art career attending Ringling School of Art and Design in Sarasota Florida. After achieving his bachelors of fine arts degree in illustration, Woody was recruited by Walt Disney Feature Animation. Disney was hiring for there Orlando studio to make the film “Mulan”. Woody meet Ama Guro Raffy Pambuan while attending a seminar of the later Grand Master Remi Presas in the summer of 1997. Studying under Ama Guro Raffy Pambuan and Kuya Guro’s John Bain, Richard Lee and Willie Huston, Woody tested and was awarded the rank of Guro along with Travis DeVita on July 19th, 1999. Having trained extensively with Ama Guro and producing several Guro’s, Woody was elevated to the rank of Kuy Guro and is now responsible for maintaining and managing the family art along with his fellow senior instructors. He has assisted Ama Guro in seminars and law enforcement training programs such as the Lolo Cinco Terro and Pambuan Tactical. Working along side Ama Guro has exposed Woody to many great Filipino Masters such as Grand Masters: Lolo Guro Isidro Pambuan, Bo Sayoc, Ernesto Presas, Bobby Tobuada, Alfred Cazon and Bobby Torrez. Woody’s animation career has taken him around the world teaching and promoting Pambuan Arnis. He has set up several groups such as the Israel group in Tel Aviv headed up by CFMA instructors Hanan Magidovich and Yosi Weitzman as well as the Portland group headed up by instructor Joe Lastomirsky.
Quote: Having been on this martial arts journey for fourty years I have always found it interesting that people are drawn to other people not to different martial arts. That relationship between instructor and student is very sacred and personal. Having found Ama Guro only strengthens that belief. Pambuan Arnis is a family martial art and it is my honor to be apart of this family. It is my dream that as I continue to grow as a martial artist, I can contribute to Pambuan Arnis and maintain its teachings for future generations to come.
Sincerely, Kuya Guro Woody Woodman